Woolwork Picture of the "Great Ocean Race of 1866"
InformationExceptionally rare and important woolwork, depicting the finish of the Great Ocean Race, unknown British artist, 1866. The woolwork is captioned along the bottom margin in gold leaf lettering under each of the three yachts depicted: "Vesta." , "Henrietta.", "Fleetwing." Below the yachts' names the following is written in gold: "The, Yachts, Saluting, Her, Majesty, Of, Osborne." The image depicts on the left a starboard angle view of the Vesta under sail. In the center the winning Henrietta is showing her transom and starboard side and to the right is a starboard view of the Fleetwing. All of the yachts are shown in excellent detail. The spars, rigging and even the crew are clearly delinated. The hulls are shown with black and gray shadowing. Each of the three yachts is flying an American yacht ensign off the gaff and the Royal Navy flag from the main topmast. There are a few small sailboats between the yachts. To the right, one sees a hill with Osborne Castle at its peak. At the base of the hill are a few buildings which probably represent the club house of the Royal Yacht Squadron. The sky and water have a beautiful abstract pattern of light blue, gray and white. This is the only woolie we have examined that depicts an American yacht race. The yacht race depicted is the Great Ocean Race of 1866 which is amongst the greatest Transatlantic Ocean Races of all times. (FA-767)
Reference: Harding, Deborah, "Stars and Stripes Patriotic Motifs in American Folk Art", New York: Rizzoli, 2002, pp. 160-161. This woolwork is shown in full color on this double page spread. Page 160 has a close up detail showing the boats and flags. Page 161 shows the entire woolie and its frame.
fine clipper-bowed vessel. Her owner was not yet twenty-one years of age and apparently his father, James Gordon Bennett, Sr., who had founded the NEW YORK HERALD and acquired great wealth, presented him with both REBECCA and HENRIETTA." (p.55) "HENRIETTA James Gordon Bennett, Jr. - 225 tons, keel, 107' overall, 22' beam, 11' 6" draft, 13 days, 21 hours, 55 minutes. Best day's run 280 miles." The information provided in these references (pp. 44 and 55) confirms the information on the backboard regarding the lengthening of HENRIETTA by 15 feet.
Reference 3: Harrington, Melissa H., "The New York Yacht Club: 1844-1994", Lyme, Connecticut: Greenwich Publishing Group, Inc., 1994, pp. 28-29. "The Great Transatlantic Race of 1866" "... The casual predinner boasts became serious challenges; finally the Pierre Lorillard and George Osgood committed their yachts to a December match race and then James Gordin Benenett joined in to the race from Sandy Hook to the Isle of Wight. Each man wagered $ 20,000 - winner take all." "The race was won on Christmas Day by HENRIETTA. The log shows her run of 3,105 nautical miles took 13 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes. Bennett would be the only man in history of the Club to serve twice as Commodore ..." .
Circa 1866
